Pocket.



Patented Feb. 5I90I.

` W. SHAPIRO.

` POCKET. (Application filed Apr, 5, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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WILLAM SHAPIRO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

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SPEClFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,587, dated February 5, 1901.

Application filed April 5, 1900. Serial No. 11,754. (No model.;

To @ZZ 'whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SHAPIRO, a citizen of the United States, residing in thc borough of Brooklyn, New York city, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pockets, of which the following is a specification.

By means of this invention a pocket or pocket-mouth can be strengthened or reinforced wit-hout becoming bulky or excessively thick, and the strengthener can be made of one piece of material and simple and durable in construction.

This invention is set forth in the following` specification and claims and illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a face view of the device or strengthener. Fig. 2 is an edge view, partly in section, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view like Fig. 1, showing the branches or shanks of the device bent as when a pocket-mouth is open for the passage of a hand or article. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the device as appearing in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows the device applied to use. Fig. G is a transverse section of the device as appearing in Fig. 3. Figs. 7 and 8 show a locking device for the branches.

The automatic closing of a pocket is effected by means of a metal or spring strip or plate, which is slitted or cut out longitudinally, so as to form the two branches 1 and 2. Ends 3 and 4 of the strips being left closed, the strips 1 and 2 when forced laterally away from each other will be caused, by reason of their flexibility, to return or spring back to their normal closed position, so as to be in comparative alinement orin plane with each other. This self-closing device is applied to the pocket by securing branch 1 to the outer pocket-flap, as indicated at 5, while the other branch 2 is secured to the inner pocket-Wall 6. The device has the perforations 7,through which thread can be passed and sewed to the pocket portions 5 and 6.

Vhen a handis thrust into the pocket, the branches 1 and 2 are forced apart until the hand is withdrawn, when they spring back toward each other, and thus keep the pocket normally closed and smooth, and the pocket or pocket-mouth is strengthened thereby.

The branches 1 and 2 lyingin plane with one another or one vertically above the other excessive thickening or bulkiness at the pocketmouth is avoided, such as would be caused if the branches were bent to lie face to face or one behind the other. The closing or joining parts 3 4 at both ends protect the pocket mouth against opening too far or tearing out, especiallyif used to an excessive extent-as, for example, in the case of the change-pockets in the uniforms or coats of street-car conductors. The device being of one piece of metal or material is not liable to break through or wear out, and the branches 1 and 2 have no free ends liable to cut, rip, or wear through the garment.

1t has been found that the device can be practically applied by securing or sewing the upper branch 1 to the garment and leaving the lower branch hanging loose or unsecured and resting merely between the outer pocket-wall and the lining of such wall; but of course the lower branch can also be secured, if desired.

The strip forming the device can be of uniform gage or thickness; but by having a taper or thickening as the ends 3 4 are approached the device becomes stronger and more springy. The device tends to automatically close the pocket-mouth or hold the pocket smooth, as also to strengthen'the pocket, and may be considered a closer, as Well as a reinforcing or strengthening device. The device does not interfere with the attachment of lining or of carrying or reinforcing strips or cloth to the garment.

A lock or safety device can be provided for closing or securing the pocket. Atongue 8, Figs. 7 and 8, carried `by a pivot 9 on one branch, can be swung toward and from the other branch. The pivot or shaft 9 can have a handle or finger-button for turning the shaft 9 or tongue 8. When the tongue or lock swings toward the other branch and engages a loop or spring strips 10, the mouth of the pocket is closed or secured.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A pocket-reinforcing device comprising a flexible strip or plate having a longitudinal slit or opening therethrough extending throughout a portion of its length, to provide two integral flexible branches normally lying IOO slit or `opening extending throughout a p0rtion of its length to provide two connected flexible branches normally lying in the same plane, a swiveling or turning tongue on one branch and a loop on the other branch for engagement of said tongue, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM SHAPIRO.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM SOCHEFSKY, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

